In November, I participated in National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). Begun in 1999, NaNoWriMo affectionately called NaNo by those in the know, now happens every November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. That breaks down to 1,667 words per day. If you achieve this goal, you win. It’s that simple.… Continue reading WHAT I LEARNED FROM WINNING NANO
Happy Valentine's Day, Readers! I am participating in Susannah Leonard Hill's 4th Annual Valentiny Contest. https://susannahill.com/2019/02/13/oh-guilty-heart-the-4th-annual-valentiny-writing-contest/ The rules for the contest are that it must be 214 words or fewer (not including title), be written for children, and someone in the story must feel guilty (each year Hill chooses a different emotion for us to… Continue reading Valentiny Contest Entry
My first writing-related article was published in the June 27, 2018 issue of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – Oregon Region online newsletter, Newsworthy. Following is a revised version of that article. THE NECESSITY OF SELF-CARE FOR WRITERS The SCBWI-OR conference in May was full of helpful information, inspirational speakers, and networking… Continue reading The Necessity of Self-Care for Writers
Fear would keep the squirrel from going to the feeder. “Bigger squirrels may run me off. People hurt squirrels. A cat lives here. It’s not the food I’m used to.” Fear would have me frozen. “Be safe,” it says. “I’ve kept you in one piece so far.” Fear points out failures, losers. “Look what happened… Continue reading Fear
If pressed to describe my writing week in one word, the word would be “Encouragement”. This week: I attended a writer friend’s book signing. Old friends gifted me with a coffee mug (required for every writer) and coffee from Writer’s Workshop in Port Townsend, WA. I invited three fellow writers to Wordfest, an evening of… Continue reading Encouragement
